Men-inists

Well, I promised it so here it is: men-inists. Or maybe masculanists? I haven't decided. Either way, today I'm going to talk about men, their rights, and the people who fight for those rights. In the news, on social media, even on YouTube, we see so much about #feminism. Since the dawn of time, no matter the number of people, there have been those fighting for women's rights. Susan B. Anthony fought for women to be able to vote. In the 1960s, ladies burned their bras, protesting the "requirements" from men. These days, people are trying to change the way women are treated in this time of rape culture. Girls shouldn't be taught to make sure they don't wear something to provoke a man; men should be taught what rape is - and don't do it.

But what about men?

Who is fighting for these guys? Since it was mentioned, this rape culture BS is completely skewed. Yes, some men are idiots. But a lot of attorneys, law enforcement, and judges either don't know or disagree that men can be raped, too. Few men are taken seriously when reporting this - or any crime against them by a woman, including domestic violence...and people wonder why men hesitate to file charges. Why make a big deal about something when you'll probably be told, "You could have overpowered her" or "Are you a p***y?" Why be humiliated all over again, after one of the most humiliating experiences ever?

Random thought: Why can a woman get a college scholarship just for being a woman, but men don't have that privilege? Maybe it's to make up for when women were continuously rejected from college because of their sex. It's not right, though.

Believe it or not, the media is just as tough on men and their bodies as they are toward women. Guys are expected to be tall, muscular, tan, clear complexion, and have a six pack. Personally, I don't know any man that fits that description...except maybe a Ken doll. Oh, and that dude who is getting surgeries to look like Ken. But he and real-life Barbie are another topic for another day.

There are so many stereotypes that men have to live up to. Men don't cry. Men play sports, and are good at it. Men are strong, physically and emotionally. There's too many to list! I think it's stupid that no one is standing up for these guys, at least not that I know of. What about guys who cry at ASPCA commercials? How about the ones who openly talk about their feelings? And the 12-year-old that can't throw a ball to save his life? Someone needs to tell them, "Hey, you may not fit the cookie cutter mold of what society thinks, but YOU ARE STILL A MAN, THROUGH AND THROUGH."

I don't think anyone fits society's mold 100% but that's okay. It would be extremely boring if we did. Embrace your differences, do not waste your talents - whether others like it or not, and love yourself for exactly who you are. Whether you're a man, woman, kid, pet dog, straight, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, white, black, olive-skinned, a purple people eater...whatever. You are you, and no one can truly love you unless you love yourself.

For the record, I'm not a feminist nor a "men-inist". I don't fight for the rights of anyone specific; I just feel that everyone - EVERYONE - deserves the exact same rights to do whatever they please as long as it's not hurting others. Even though I would never buy moon rocks, I think that everyone should have that option. (It was the best non-specific example of which I could think.) That's another topic for another day though.